Traveling back

Today I was talking to a friend, and somewhere along the conversation we ended up talking about the past. The what ifs, and other things. Sometimes we cannot really help but wonder about what our life would have been if we had taken a different path. It doesn't mean we want to change our present, but just like anyone else we wonder... Hmm.. Would we have done things any other way? Or, would we have chosen another career? What could we have done more of, better of? I guess the only thing I might have done otherwise is travel more. I don't think I would have opted for a singles holiday, but I wouldn't have minded to try traveling on my own. Perhaps gone on an adventure holiday of some sort. Or maybe even, gone on a working holiday around Europe, taken a gap year or two just to travel, travel and travel.

Once, before hubby and I got married, I wanted to go on a short trip away. Just me. I guess I wasn't that much of a risk taker, because I didn't pursue that. It was all just in my head to travel on my own. I am thinking out loud now and asking myself if my daughter when she turns 18 if I would allow her to travel on her own, or even go on a working holiday overseas ... if I should let her? I guess I wouldn't really have much of a choice though. If I keep her back she'd miss out on big experiences in life that would mold her into her future self.

Should I have just gone and travelled back then? Maybe.

007 Book (James Bond)

I may not be the most ardent fan of the James Bond series, but finding out that there’s a book available which lists the locations that James Bond movies were filmed at sort of caught my attention. Martijn Mulder has compiled and created On The Tracks of 007, which comes in Black and White print (cheaper) and a Full Colour print (obviously more expensive – limited edition!). 007 enthusiasts would have access to the ladies man’s hotel lists, travel film stories, hundreds of photos, background information, etc.

Surely there are ways to enjoy the film aside from watching the reel!

Did you know that there exists already a Halong Bay tour where they’ve filmed one of the 007 movies? This is in Vietnam.

I am quite excited to see the upcoming 007 movie! Daniel Craig is such a hottie! :D

Dreamy driving

It’s already halfway through the year and I still haven’t applied for my driver’s license. I can’t drive in Sydney anymore with my Philippine license. Although I don’t really intend to get a car just yet (living in the city one does not really need this), I would really like to probably just go for a car rental to do long weekends away from the city. I already have a mental list of places I would like to visit. Topping that list would be the South Coast’s Bulli. I went to Bulli beach a few months ago and had a really nice experience. I read the paper today and saw that there are quite a few promotional rates and discounts available. I’m sure with my travel agent card I would get even better deals. Who knows I could probably rent a convertible (yeah right!). Now all I really need to work on is getting my driver’s license.

Before I get married/Start a family

I had this conversation today with my boyfriend. I told him I was thinking of traveling alone overseas before we get married. He felt a bit bad about me wanting or even thinking of traveling alone, meaning, without him. I tried to send my message across that it was something I have just been wanting to do. It does take a lot of courage, planning and money involved, but the world is very much a safer place to travel alone. A female solo traveler is not as frowned upon as days before. It’s not like I won’t tell him where I will be all the time. I don’t intend to travel to rural areas. Just major cities/city. Today, when we were out with a girl friend of mine, she mentioned she also wanted to do this. I told boyfriend this is really one of those things that some ladies aspire for. I think it’s not for everyone though. But I am glad I have come across another lady blogger who feels the same way! :)

How lovely the French windows are in Mauritius (Creole food better tho!)

During my trip to Mauritius I found how lovely the influence of France on that little Indian Ocean island! All the way from their language (they do speak French and Creole), to their cuisine, to their interesting French towns, the lovely French windows, their wine .. Having been occupied by the French for 100 years (from 1710 to 1810), they sure have adapted to their colonizers. The French must have left such an imprint on the people, that until now a lot of French people visit Ile de Maurice (Island of Mauritius). The photo/s above is one that I took during one of our lunches in the island. We had lovely Creole food at Le Fangourin Restaurant, just next door to the Sugar Museum (L'Adventure du Sucre). I think I should consider this one of the best places to have a meal at. It had great, great views of the mountain. Perfect to try authentic Mauritian cuisine with, enjoying the lovely view. Le Fangourin is approximately 10 kilomtres away from the country's capital city, Port Louis. Should you find yourself visiting the island, this is a MUST TRY!

Check out my other Mauritius Photos here, here, here, and here.

Checking back in!

I've just been back to work. Well, my body was, but my mind was still adrift somewhere on an island in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius). So funny, but when I took a nap on the day I arrived, for about 10 seconds upon opening my eyes, I didn't know where I was. Literally. Since being on the trip, in a span of 6 nights we stayed at 4 different hotels! At one point I was giving out my room number to the waiter/front desk people mismatched room numbers belonging to previous hotels! Oh well! The joys of travelling!

It's been ages since I blogged here and I feel I am out of the loop. Just like the jetlag I am feeling. A bit here and there. I'm glad to be back in the comfort of my room. Back on the ground in my apartment, and back to the "joys" of working. Really, just the certainty of tomorrow and knowing that I will be logging back into work as usual, doing my rounds of passwords, dishes, laundry, etc. Seeing the familiar things can give a bit of satisfaction, the same way as seeing some place for the first time. I guess it just really is about having a break, and getting back on track after that deserved time off.

Will post photos and give feedback on my lovely Mauritius trip, when I am totally settled back in. For now, I am glad to be checking back into my blog. Ciao!

First wedding on top of the Harbour Bridge

This week, rain poured nonstop. As I write, it is still raining, the wind howling and raindrops tapping on my window. Pretty much since monday (or was it sunday?), we haven't seen the sun. And I hear it will be so up til the weekend.

The gloomy weather, rainy day did not stop a couple from getting married on top the Harbour Bridge! It was a first in the bridge's history to actually hold an official wedding on the bridge. Scottish tourists, Tierney and Tullan exchanged vows on the 3rd of June. It was something that the lady apparently has always dreamed her wedding to be! This officially marks the harbour bridge opening to such wedding ceremonies. If this was your dream as well, then you should visit BridgeClimb's website for more details. It's not for everyone of course. I know I still want a traditional church wedding one day!

Note: You still get strapped on to secure bolts and chains and make your way up on a harness. And, no wearing of gowns or jewelry on top of the bridge, just the black jumpsuit! Minimalist wedding! Saves you on a lot of things... and, you have a whole city for a witness!

Adventure on a quad bike

We went on a Quad Bike tour last weekend and I reckon it's one of the most challenging things (physically) that I have done in the past few months. (The last one was in December when I kayaked around an island in Palawan!).

Before going on the tour, we had this 45 minute training and practice. The instructor even mentioned that if we didn't do well in that first part, there's a possibility of us not going on with the tour! In the beginning, for about a minute or so, I though I was not going with the rest of the group! Really! I was such a klutz. I almost toppled over a few times. Well actually hubby said I wouldn't topple over anyway coz the ATV (quad bike) was heavy and made to be driven on rough uneven terrain (he explained it much better). We did the quad bike tour at Glenworth Valley.

Anyway, I did go on the tour with everyone else. I was right behind the tour guide, just so he could keep an eye on me! Haha! It was such a challenge to be rolling down the hills and up again, going through mud puddles and slidy patches of some things. Real adventure if I may say so. From the beginning of the tour I was wishing it was the end of the road! It was quite uncomfortable as I had my fingers pressed on the brakes pretty much the whole time! My arms were sore coz of the tension that the whole activity brought on me. Shoulders were aching as well as other parts of my body.

The whole ride through I couldn't appreciate nature around me. We passed through a river, heard a few bird chirping and singing, as well as other nature things that I could not really appreciate then. I was thinking to myself that whole time about pushing myself to the limit. All because I had one goal : to get to the end of the tour!! Funny I paid to actually make my muscles ache, body sore, etc! But anyway, I made it through! A few days after I could still feel the pain! Aching everywhere. But I guess it just means my muscles worked double time, and I received my month's worth of exercise! :) Would I do it again next time? I don't know. Maybe. Well at least if I did join a quad bike tour again, I would know better : appreciate the tour and environment. And to try to have fun in spite of the circumstance!